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July 2018 Moms
SmashJam
member
STM+ Check In- Week of 2/28
SmashJam
member
Been awhile. Thought I'd go for it! Shamelessly stolen word for word from May 2018!
How far along are you? Girl/boy/team green?
How old are your other kids?
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
How far along are you? Girl/boy/team green?
How old are your other kids?
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
Re: STM+ Check In- Week of 2/28
How old are your other kids? DD is 22 months, fur baby is 9 years old ;-)
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)? Totally have broken all of my "i will never"s - including stopping being a person before being a mom. I've done a few big things for me - trained and ran a half marathon, did a 5k, launched an etsy store and did a craft fair - but the day to day keeping me a priority is a work in progress. Big part is DH didn't feel confident when DD was born and somehow i was zen mom so I just took over and have been "primary" with DD and autopilot to just do it all. Also really over this "me do" phase and the tantrums, and hormones don't make me patient, so mom REALLY needs something just for her - after this stupid wedding and DH's work calming down I'm putting my foot down for a better schedule.
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why? Been thinking a lot about what's the best thing we did we'll do again, and what's the worst we absolutely won't do and was going to suggest we do a sort of "pay it forward" board for the FTM as something they might not think of. Right now it looks like the biggest difference is DH is going to have to stay home longer than me due to changes in maternity leave at my job. I may change up BF for EP...depends on how early BF goes with this one. Good news is I get another pump through insurance so now I can leave one pump at work, one at home, and just bring the parts/bottles back and forth instead of 2 bags of stuff.
20 wks, boy mom here!
How old are your other kids?
22 months soon to be 23.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
DS has been so whiny lately i don’t know why. Even the sitter has noticed it.
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
not buying into expensive stuff like we did with DS it was a waste of money for most things.
How far along are you? Girl/boy/team green?
TEAM GREEN! 22 weeks
How old are your other kids?
DS will be 8 in two weeks, DD will be 5 in April
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
My daughter just does not sleep. She was in my room laying on the dog's bed completely dressed at 530 this morning when I got up for work. She had obviously already been downstairs because the TV was on. I have no idea what time she even got up. I've told her she has to wait until there is a 7 on her clock, but she just doesn't do it. WHY WON'T SHE SLEEP?! She goes to bed around 815.
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
I'm hoping to have breast feeding success this time around. It's going to be an interesting experience overall because my other two are so much older, and they will be home with me the entire summer, so no peaceful time with the baby taking naps, etc... This baby will not be spending a lot of time laying around because I'll have to find ways to entertain my kids!
Married: 6/27/2008
DS: 3/14/2010 Planned, PG first try
M/C 6/2012
DD: 4/22/2013 Planned, UnDx Infertility, PG on our own
BFP: 10/28/2016 Unplanned, HUGE SURPRISE!
M/C 12/12/2016
BFP: 10/27/2017 Unplanned, HUGE SURPRISE
EDD: 7/2/2018
How old are your other kids? DS is 2.5
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)? I have always known this about DS but it seems to be evolving a little. I always say, "Oh, give the behavior two weeks and it'll change!" to comfort myself about frustrating behavior. But it seems like he also takes two weeks to adjust to something new (as we all do, I guess) and once two ish weeks has passed, we really know how he's gonna take to something. Two weeks of potty train was great, then we had like 2 months of hell, now its somewhat better. Two weeks in the toddler bed was great, now we are going through a mini-hell, hopefully it will get better. It's like he doesn't know to fight it for awhile, and then he's like, no I hate this! And goes balls to the wall with being a PITA about it.
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why? Being more of an advocate for myself with breastfeeding. I gave in too early when the pediatrician told me I needed to formula supplement and didn't offer any help iwth the breastfeeding-I thought I had already lost when she made me give DS a formula bottle before leaving the office and she even told me that he was burning more calories eating then he was getting from me when we ate then weighed and he'd lost weight. I know now that I can seek help AS WELL AS having to supplement, and I have a good support system right now with my La Leche ladies so hopefully I can utilize that to be successful for longer than 2 weeks!
22 weeks tomorrow with a little GIRL. STILL in shock
How old are your other kids?
DS 2.5, going on 14
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
Ever since switching to a toddler bed and then a twin size bed we started laying with him to fall asleep.. Took anywhere from 20 min to 2 hours. Nap time and bed time. Terrible habit we started, but last night I bit the bullet and had him go to sleep alone and it went SO much better than expected. I had to go into his room and tuck him in 3 times until he gave up and laid in bed and went to sleep. “Mama go night night” was never so heartbreaking but I’m hoping he’ll go down better now!
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
Mostly toddler bad habits like we started with DS. I’m hoping with all of my might that this baby is as good a sleeper as DS was as a baby
How far along are you? Girl/boy/team green?
20+5, having another boy
How old are your other kids?
17 month old son
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
Getting nervous about childcare options with 2 under 2. I am not so sure having 2 in daycare will be feasible for us and wondering if a nanny will be cheaper (we only do 3 days per week in daycare right now because my mom helps and husband typically works a weekend day so he has a weekday off). I also feel bad because I would love to put our toddler into a 2's preschool program in the fall, but I just don't know if we'll be able to swing that. And I think we will have to pull him out of daycare when I go on maternity leave and I feel so bad because he is really thriving there. Mom guilt is real.
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
Unfortunately the things I really want to change are things that are mostly out of my control. I don't want to be induced this time like I was last time, but I have gestational diabetes and might have no choice. I wanted to use a birth center instead of hospital this time, but again, GD might prevent that. I had such a difficult time with breastfeeding last time - I stuck with it and eventually things got better, and my son still nurses to this day (though nearly weaned), but it was months of so much stress over every feeding to get to that point. Part of the reason was my son had tongue and lip ties that needed correction, and that tends to be genetic, so I know I very well may experience it again. I need to work on focusing more on things that are in my control, and try to stop beating myself up/stressing over things I cannot control. So maybe that will be the thing I'll try to change this time.
21+2 & another boy.
How old are your other kids?
Turned 2 almost a week ago.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
DS has been peeing on the potty since he was like 14 months old but inconsistently. He’ll tell me when he has to go, but not all the time. I try not to push it because I’ve read they’ll do it when they’re ready- but when the heck is that going to be??? He pooped on the potty by himself the other day and then shamelessly shit his pants the next day. Should I start pushing him? More time without pull ups on? What is the next step here?
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
I want to do literally everything exactly the same! Maybe bf longer, but other than that, I love how I did everything with DS1.
How old are your other kids? DS just turned 1 year old a couple weeks ago.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)? My amazing sleeper just isn't into it the past few nights. He keeps waking up for seemingly no reason and it takes forever to get him back down. Not teething, I don't suspect growth spurt, maybe hungry? Regardless, H and I are exhausted with super busy schedules the rest of the week. Please sleep baby boy!
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why? First thing that comes to mind is trying to not get too overwhelmed with MOTN wake-ups and feedings. I was so confused how DS could be hungry literally a few minutes after he just finished eating. I can't tell you how many times I Googled 'can baby drink all the milk in my breasts?' or some variation. This time I plan to just put her on the boob if she's crying. Oh, and I plan on wearing her way more than I did DS. I think that's just a given with two under two though.
Married: 6/27/2008
DS: 3/14/2010 Planned, PG first try
M/C 6/2012
DD: 4/22/2013 Planned, UnDx Infertility, PG on our own
BFP: 10/28/2016 Unplanned, HUGE SURPRISE!
M/C 12/12/2016
BFP: 10/27/2017 Unplanned, HUGE SURPRISE
EDD: 7/2/2018
How far along are you? Girl/boy/team green?
21 weeks, and it's a boy. Add me to the "still in shock" list. I'm also a little terrified of a boy for several reasons, and I'm super worried that he's going to be crazy active/adventurous. Which is cute, but exhausting.
How old are your other kids?
DD turns 2 this weekend! *sniff, sniff* I'm so proud of her and can't believe it.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
I'm disappointed in the new school we're in. DD likes it, and I don't dislike it but I'm disappointed. And they're currently searching for a new director so the assistant is filling in. I saw her this morning and mentioned that I wanted to sit down and talk about some things now that we had been there a few months. So, I'm going to email her to set up some time. I don't really want to move her and I definitely don't want to drive further away, but an amazing school further south just added a preschool and infant program. If we're still not happy in a few months I may go tour.
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
I'm hoping and praying that this baby is a good sleeper like DD was. The one thing that I'm definitely planning to do differently is to move the baby out of our room closer to 4-5 months instead of 6 months. We fell into some bad habits of night feeding around then and I really think it's just because her sleep cycles had changed and I wasn't giving her time to get back to sleep on her own. DS will be moving into my office from our room which is literally right outside our bedroom door, so we'll see how it all goes.
RE: breastfeeding, I'm also hoping and praying I have it easy again this time. DD was a champion latcher and I had tons of good advice in the beginning that made it easier. There's TONS of support available out there for moms who want it (both online and in person programs) - fed is always best, but there are ways to support both if that's what you choose.
@Kenya715 I don’t know how I’ll handle MOTN newborn feeds PLUS a toddler! It’s been 2.5 years but I still remember that down to the bone exhaustion, soo not looking forward to it.
@paytonpedro we're also in the middle of potty training so no words of wisdom - she used to pee in the potty nightly, then it lost it's appeal. I call it a win these days if she doesn't lie about if she's pooped and needs a diaper change...or start diaper diving and painting with the poop before I can get to her.
How far along are you? Girl/boy/team green?
20 weeks with identical twin girls
How old are your other kids?
DS turned 2 in December
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
We’d like to start potty training and move to a toddler bed, but we’re going to move in about a month, so I know it can be difficult for little ones to deal with several big changes all at the same time, so I’m not sure whether to get started or just wait until we’re in the new house. He likes to sit on the potty, but always waits until we take him off to pee on the floor or until we put a diaper on him. On a positive note, I think he’s going to be amazing with the babies. My niece was born a few weeks ago and he is great with her. Plus, he loves pretend his stuffed animals are babies and puts them down for naps, feeds them, changes diapers etc.
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
I will definitely ask for help if I need it. I tried to do everything myself with DS. I also won’t put so much pressure on myself to breastfeed. I know this is ridiculous, but I felt like such a failure when I struggled to breastfeed DS early on.
I have a question for ya'll (asked in another thread but I figure it doesn't hurt to put here too):
Does foot/shoe growth slow down around 2? Last summer I bought my daughter's summer sandals 2 sizes too big and they fit fine still by the end of summer - they definitely would have been too small if I only bought 1 size too big. Now I feel like she's been in a size 5 for probably 4-6 months. They're close to being too small, but some brands still fit. Should I buy a 6 or 7 for her summer sandals this year??
@paytonpedro just my two cents but I don't think my DS close to 2 would have been ready-he's about 2.5 and we are still struggling. I think communication is harder at that age so I just say go with the flow! However...I do know a less communicative 2.5 year old whose parents started him at 2 because of an impending baby and he was fine! So who knows. I feel like more pantsless time at home couldn't hurt though!
How far along are you? Girl/boy/team green? According to the anatomy scan, I'm on track for 20 weeks today. My dating ultrasound put me a few days ahead of that, so I don't know for sure. It's a girl!
How old are your other kids? DD is turning 4 in May and DS just turned 2.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)? My boss wants me to take on a full-time position summer of 2019...and I'm actually considering it. If I don't take it, there's a real possibility that I lose my job since I'm sharing one position with someone on retirement transition. When she retires, I can't sit on her "line" as a part-timer, and justifying me as a separate part-time employee may be difficult. Me taking on this full-time position really depends on the availability of day care for all three kids (two once school starts for DD1). I use a licensed in-home day care primarily, who happens to be my next door neighbor, and her max # of kids is 6, so my little chicks would take up half of her charge on their days! I need to reach out to our old nanny to see if she thinks she'll be available next year for one day, and hopefully she doesn't want too much extra $$ for it. I also must ask for a raise if I take this position otherwise I would actually lose money with childcare. It really sucks that there aren't more career-oriented part-time positions available, and that we are in the situation where we need to pay people to watch our kids. It makes me really sad sometimes.
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why? Well, I'll be going back to work earlier with DD2 than I did with my first two. My husband will be responsible for childcare when my maternity leave is up so I can go back to work and we can wait until DD2 is 6 months old before putting her in daycare. I also plan to sleep train her no later than 5 months old, and once again, my goal is to EBF/pump for at least one full year. Work is really going to make that goal difficult, but I'm determined to try my best. My hand pump will be my friend (think "secretly" pumping at my desk in between electric pumping sessions). I do feel bad that I'm "leaving" the baby so soon, but I'm really hitting a stride in my career that I'm afraid of losing, and it's important to show my kids that we can be good parents and follow our passions outside of the home.
How old are your other kids? DS is 2.5, almost 3. DD is 18 months.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)? My 18 month old DD has started her "terrible twos" early. Sigh. Definitely a rebellious spirit in that one. She has also decided that she no longer likes sleep (we have been super blessed with two great sleepers, so this is different for us). We have been doing potty-training with my DS. We waited a little longer, until he was 2.5 yo. He has been a champ! We did similar to @paytonpedro where we introduced the potty early but never pushed it. Then we told him it was time. No more diapers. We did a "1-day" training. Meh. You pretty much just load them up on liquids and have them go every 15-30 minutes so they see what it's like to have the urge to pee, and giving them ample times to go. We had one good week, one bad week, now back to a good week!
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why? Honestly, we will probably be way more lax with this one just due to having 3 kids 3 and under. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. haha. And to stop feeling bad when I don't produce as much when I go back to work. Pumping is exhausting and tough.
How old are your other kids? DD will be 4 in May, DS just turned 2 in January.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)? Our sweet, smart, talented DD still refuses to potty train. She is almost 4 and I am at a loss for what to do. She will wear a pull up great but refuses to sit on the potty, won't tell us she has to go and most times won't tell us she's gone in her pull up. Our DS seems ready to do it though and has been asking for pull ups so we are going to focus on training him and hope it rubs off on DD. I can't even sign her up for preschool because they require kids to be potty trained and a deposit to confirm a spot. One major plus - DS is done with his pacifier! He bit a hole in it so we "threw" it away and he has done great! the next step is putting him in a toddler bed but our kids share a room and they are already crazy together so I'm scared to let them both be free.
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why? I want to wait until I'm in full blown labor before going to the hospital. DD I was in for 40+ hours and it was miserable. DS I got induced because I was 5cm dilated but the pitocin made the contractions so much worse than DD's. I want baby to decide this time unless intervention is needed for a medical reason.
Otherwise everything we've done with the kids so far (minus potty training) has worked pretty well for both kids!
20 weeks! Team green for now with twins
How old are your other kids?
18 months
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
We’re moving to one nap and I have no idea how that’s going to happily work out. Refusing this week sometimes and right now I put him down three hours after he wakes rather than at a set time. I can’t mske it to noon without a nap myself still! Ugh
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
theyre twins so I’m worried about having ebjough hands to care for all the babies! I’ll be working only part time rather than full time now.
How far along are you? Girl/boy/team green?
I am 21 weeks today. Will find out the sex tomorrow if baby cooperates!
How old are your other kids?
I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter, Scarlett.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
My husband and I work the same job for different bosses but our jobs require us to be away from home for 2 months out of the year. Our daughter comes with us and stays at a daycare while we're at work. I usually work from home so she's usually with me all but 2 days a week and when we're here she is in daycare for about 50 hours a week. We are all over it including her. She's been acting out and I think its just because she's a bit homesick and we're just all over it. Only one week left!
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
I REALLY want to keep a better baby book this time around. I didn't do well with that at all with my oldest.
I am 19 weeks 2 days. I will find out the gender on Tuesday. I really wanted to do team green, but my husband just can't deal with not knowing, plus I am excited to decorate the nursery and not a big fan of the gender neutral ideas I have seen.
How old are your other kids?
My son is 2.5
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)?
My husband is leaving for a business trip in Asia on Saturday and after 10 days my son and I will meet him there. I am stressed about the solo parenting while he is gone but also the flight to Asia with a toddler. I really hope everything goes smoothly, but I am kind of a ball of nerves. That being said I am so excited for our trip. We figure we will not have a chance to do something like this once baby 2 arrives.
GTKY: What is something you plan on doing differently with this baby and why?
I hope to pump more during maternity leave so I can build up a freezer stash before returning to work. I got so stressed about my milk production last time, that I hope I can be a bit more proactive about it this time around. I am also going to really try to not dwell on the lack of sleep. With my son the sleep deprivation felt like the worst thing ever, especially because I didn't know how long it would go on for. There will still be uncertainty with the new kid, but at least I now have the insight to know that I will sleep again one day, and can actually get by on very little sleep.
yea...we still never ordered the prints we paid for in the hospital of the newborn photos..oops. We bought the book before she was born but I haven't printed the pics to go with the milestones.
Same! I have the book I just haven't printed the pics, etc. I did do a facebook update every month for 24 months so I don't think it would be hard to do it...I just need to actually do it.